Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to Donate 10,000 Soccer Balls to Local Youth in 2020

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) has committed to distributing 10,000 size one soccer balls for free by the end of 2020 to provide the next generation of local youth more opportunities to connect with the game of soccer.

In 2018, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club merged with Colorado Storm to become the largest youth soccer club in Colorado, serving 10,000 players across the front range. Today, with the Club’s increased reach and scope throughout local communities, CRYSC is finding new ways to increase access to the game and develop the next generation of soccer players in Colorado. In alignment with this vision, the organization has committed to distributing 10,000 size one soccer balls to local youth throughout 2020.

“Having grown up in Scotland, where soccer is the number one sport in terms of participation, I haven’t seen a shortage of players who thrive on this game. Being at a Club where that same passion for soccer not only exists, but is shared at every level is something I consider myself fortunate to be part of. We hope this initiative will go a long way towards inspiring a lifetime of love and enjoyment for the game of soccer,” said CRYSC Technical Director, Donald Gillies.

Last spring, CRYSC welcomed international youth soccer expert, Tom Byers, to speak to coaches and staff on his “Soccer Starts at Home” philosophy. Tom’s philosophy promotes the positive benefits of young players practicing in the house and the idea that a player can fall in love with the ball before they can fall in love with the game. His visit was the seed of inspiration that has since grown into an initiative to create new opportunities and access for players taking their first steps into the sport. Reducing barriers for young players to fall in love with the beautiful game benefits the entire Colorado soccer community and helps facilitate the growth of the sport in the United States.

“We’ve been building up a stockpile of size one soccer balls with the intention of giving them back to the community to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players in Colorado,” said CRSYC Executive Director, Aaron Nagel. “The current situation with COVID-19 has significantly limited organized play opportunities for our youngest players, so there is no better time than now to give back to the players and families that have been impacted across the state.”

To make sure that these soccer balls will be put to good use in the Colorado community, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club is calling on local school leaders, specifically those leading toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary schools, to fill out the interest form below. We’ll evaluate each request and provide enough soccer balls to selected schools for each child. Help distribute 10,000 soccer balls throughout our community this year by filling out the interest form today!

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club is the only youth soccer Club in Colorado with a complete player pathway from youth to professional. The Club offers programming for all ages and ability levels through recreational leagues, competitive leagues, seasonal camps, tournaments, adaptive programming, and outreach programming. To find out more, please visit the Club’s website at https://rapidsyouthsoccer.org.